New Caledonia has made history with the surprise election of its first female congress president – a change that comes amid ongoing civil unrest in the French Pacific territory. Veylma Falaeo, a moderate candidate from the Ocean Awakening party, is set to bring a new perspective to a congress that’s been led by pro-independence leaders for the past five years.
Falaeo’s election marks a departure from the leadership of Roch Wamytan, of the pro-independence FLNKS party, who was a prominent critic of France’s management of New Caledonia.
The first Kanak congress president, Wamytan lost his position by a narrow margin of 26 to 28 votes.
New Caledonia's congress was established in 1999 to govern health, tax, roads, welfare and schools. It has 54 councillors who are elected every five years. A vote is held every year to elect the congress' president.
'Democracy Maker'
Falaeo’s rise comes at a critical time for New Caledonia, which has been grappling with political instability and social unrest.
It's seen numerous protests and clashes related to reforms proposed by Paris, which many Kanaks fear could undermine their political influence and independence aspirations.
Falaeo's party was founded in 2019 to advocate for the Wallisian and Futunian community, which faces under-representation and marginalisation in New Caledonia.
That year Ocean Awakening garnered over 8 percent of the vote in the Southern Province, securing four seats in the Provincial Assembly and three in congress.
Following this success, it's become a key player in New Caledonian politics, positioning itself as a "democracy maker".
New Caledonian TV station NC La 1'ere reported that Falaeo had been supported by anti-independence parties, although her party has not previously belonged to the two traditional blocs.
Falaeo has pledged to pursue a middle-way approach to governance.
In a statement following her election, she emphasised her commitment to fostering a more inclusive and representative congress.
“Oceania is not an ethnic group for us, but a way of life, a way of being, a state of mind, and above all, values that echo those of the republic: respect, equity and solidarity,” she said.
Pro-independence riots
France sent hundreds of police to New Caledonia after voting reforms in May sparked deadly protests by pro-independence Kanak groups.
Kanaks, who make up 41 percent of the population, fear reforms will dilute their vote and make it harder for any future referendum on independence to pass. Paris says the measure is needed to improve democracy by allowing more residents from France to vote.
The reforms have since been suspended by President Emmanuel Macron.
As congress president, Wamytan had been a vocal critic of France's handling of New Caledonia's independence movement.
He was particularly outspoken about the recent postponement of a visit by Pacific Island leaders, which he attributed to France’s attempts to control the scope of the fact-finding mission.
This stance further strained relations between the pro-independence factions and the French government.
Azerbaijan meddling claims
Wamytan’s tenure was also marked by controversy, including allegations of foreign meddling.
Several French loyalists, including Nicolas Metzdorf – one of New Caledonia's representatives in the French National Assembly – called for Wamytan’s replacement after he approved a cooperation agreement between the congress and Azerbaijan, a country often critical of France.
This agreement, along with the arrest and detention in France of Wamytan’s chief of staff for suspected links to recent riots, fuelled tensions within the congress.
Pro-independence parties claim the seven arrested officials, including Wamytan’s chief of staff, are political prisoners, although Wamytan has denied any financial ties between his party and Azerbaijan.
